Deifel Adds Williams, McElroy to Support Staff

October 9, 2015

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Razorback softball head coach Courtney Deifel has announced the additions of Paige Williams and Jordan McElroy to the program’s support staff. Williams will serve as the Razorbacks’ director of operations while McElroy joins Arkansas’ coaching staff as a volunteer assistant. Arkansas begins its fall schedule this Sunday, Oct. 11, with a doubleheader against Oklahoma State at Bogle Park.

Williams has previous experience as part of the operations staff for the 2013 Belk Bowl with the Charlotte Sports Foundation. Among her several duties, she assisted in ticket sales, sponsorship, bowl-related events and promotions. Williams also coordinated officials’ travel and the inaugural Belk Bowl and ACC Championship Game 5K races. Most recently she was a leasing manager with Greystar Management and an assistant with Bay Event Marketing.

Williams was a four-year letterwinner (2010-13) during her playing career at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill where she appeared in 137 games with 49 career starts. In her four years as a Tar Heel, she helped the program to more than 150 wins and three appearances in the NCAA Tournament. As a senior, Williams was the 2012-13 recipient of the Athletic Director Scholar-Athlete Award for having the highest GPA on the team.

McElroy comes to Fayetteville after two years as an instructor with Diamond Athletics in Marion, Ark. In the role, she provided one-on-one lessons and organized skills clinics. During that time, McElroy was a coach in the Desoto County School District in Olive Branch, Miss. She also has past experience in travel ball as a co-head coach for the 14U softball team within the New Jersey Intensity program.

McElroy was a four-year standout (2009-12) at Miami University where she finished her playing career with top-five program rankings in at-bats, runs, hits and walks. She was a two-year team captain, two-time Mid-American Conference performer and the 2012 recipient of the MAC’s Nan Harvey Sportsmanship Award. McElroy helped Miami to a pair of MAC Tournament titles and NCAA Tournament berths in 2009 and 2012.

This weekend’s doubleheader with Oklahoma State marks the first of five fall dates for the Razorbacks, four of which will be played in Fayetteville at Bogle Park. First pitch of Sunday’s twin bill is scheduled for 1 p.m. (CT). All home games during the fall are free and open to the public.

Along with Deifel and McElroy, the Razorbacks’ coaching staff also features Boo De Oliveira and Yolanda McRae who are also in their first seasons at Arkansas. On the field, the Razorbacks will be led by 21 returners including its three-member senior class of Stephanie Canfield, Claire Clark and Kate James. Arkansas also welcomes seven newcomers for the 2015-16 campaign.

For more information about Arkansas softball, follow @RazorbackSB on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.